Egypt has pledged to build 10 new stadiums if the Arab state wins the bid to host the 2010 World Cup. Some $1.53 billion would be invested into preparations, announced the Egypt’s bid committee.

Egyptian sports and youth minister Ali E. Hillal held an international press conference on December 21, 2003, where it was announced that the stadiums would be built along the northern coast in the cities of Marsa Matrouh, Alexandria Borg Al-Arab and Port Said, in addition to venues in Cairo, Giza and Hurgada.

Egypt is one of the five bidding countries who all made formal presentations to the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) at the end of September for the first finals to be held in Africa. Other nations bidding are South Africa, Tunisia, Libya and Morocco. — (menareport.com)